Former Gov. Charlie Crist appeared in Tallahassee on Thursday at a rally for solar power.

In 2007, Crist — then a Republican governor — tried to move renewable energy initiatives forward but was blocked by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Crist is now a Democrat challenging Gov. Rick Scott.

Greg Blair, spokesman for Rick Scott for Florida, said it was "too bad Crist can't channel all of his hot air into wind energy to fuel his campaign."

When asked about the future of alternative energy, Crist responded, "Well, I think it's gone in the pit. I mean, you know, we don't hear anything about solar, we don't hear anything about wind, and it's obvious to me "

Senate's $105 million tax package takes shape

The Legislature is one step closer to shaping a tax cut package that would hand Gov. Rick Scott his top election-year promise: a $500 million reduction in fees and taxes.

Though both chambers are on board with the philosophy, their proposals are $35 million apart. Getting those numbers in line will one of the biggest negotiating pieces moving forward.

The largest portion of the Senate's $105.1 million plan, which was hashed out Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee, includes a "communications services tax." That includes telecommunication taxes paid by users of things like cell phones and landlines.

The plan also includes a back-to-school sales tax holiday worth an estimated $32 million, and $2 million for the Daytona International Speedway.

The bill initially included $71 million in services tax cuts, but the committee approved $6.5 million in industry-specific tax breaks. The amendments represent victories for specific industries that lobbied the committee for a slice off the tax cut pie. In this case that includes, among others, bail bondsmen and retailers.

Because the services tax touches a large percentage of residents — everyone that uses a cell phone, for instance — some members were critical of the changes.

"I am greatly disappointed because the people expect to get some money back, and I think we are whittling down the people's money for some special interests," said state Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa.

State wrestles with app for hired-care service

State versus local control is at stake in an ongoing dispute in Tallahassee that pits the taxi cab industry against Uber, an app-based hired-car service that's trying to gain a foothold in Florida.

A bill filed earlier this year by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, would have allowed services such as Uber to set up in cities across the state. The companies contract with independent drivers who have access to the company's customer base. People use a smart phone to summon a car.

Uber has sparked political fights across the country as supporters and opponents hire teams of lobbyists to duke-it-out in state Legislatures and city halls.

The St. Petersburg Republican amended his bill Thursday so that it now applies only to Hillsborough County — the one county in Florida that has a special district established to regulate taxis, limos, tow truck drivers and other transportation for hire.

Democrats get Rick Scott invitation

A number of prominent Tampa-area Democrats have been puzzling over invitations they got to a fundraiser last week for Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Heading the list was Scott's likely Democratic opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist. According to interviews and Facebook postings, others receiving invitations included current and former Democratic Party officers, candidates, campaign staffers and committed grass-roots activists.

None can explain why.

"I was surprised. The only other correspondence I've ever gotten from (Scott) was to tell me he was going to rescind my appointment to the Volunteer Florida commission," said Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan, a Democratic state House candidate, who got an invitation. "I'm a candidate for office because I'm disgusted with the status quo in Tallahassee. I'm not planning to support Rick Scott."

Scott's campaign denied the mailing list came from the governor's office or any other public agency.

The campaign said Crist, a former Republican, got an invitation because he was on a list of people who had donated to Republican candidates in the past.

Crisafulli-led committee has nearly $1 million in the bank

After raising $548,950 during the first quarter of 2014, a committee controlled by incoming House speaker Steve Crisafulli is sitting on a nearly $1 million war chest.

As incoming speaker, it's the Merritt Island Republican's job to fundraise for and help coordinate House races in 2014.

The committee he controls is known as an "affiliated party committee" (APC). The committees can only be controlled by those designated as incoming legislative leaders, not rank-and-file members.

Crisafulli started the committee called "House Republican Campaign Committee" in August 2013, and has since raised nearly $1.2 million. It has spent $235,204, leaving it with $943,746 in the bank.

The biggest individual check was $300,000 given from the Republican Party of Florida, but it's likely that Crisafulli also helped bring in that sum. It's part of the process for incoming leaders to also raise money for state parties.

Political Fix Florida is the blog of the joint Bureau of E.W. Scripps/Tampa Tribune in Tallahassee. www.politicalfixflorida.com or @politicalfix on Twitter